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Toyota Aurion AT-X
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With the Aurion's package of technology and refinement, Toyota has a produced a big six that outstrips its more established rivals. Aurion is the new cat which Toyota has really set among the established pigeons. Born-again Toyota has finally taken Australian large cars seriously enough to produce a sedan worthy of praise in this land of big sixes. With Aurion, whose name comes from the ancient Greek for 'tomorrow' or 'first light', there's a new dawn of locally sourced safety and smoothness on offer. Refreshingly, there's also none of the cynical marketing measures that see air conditioning or other key features withheld from standard equipment to boost the bottom line. Buyers of the base car, the AT-X, are now beneficiaries of potentially life-saving technology like electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic and hydraulic assistance and six airbags. It's also hard not to be impressed by the smooth, powerful and efficient drivetrain, in essence a high-tech 3.5-litre V6 and six-speed automatic gearbox from luxury division Lexus. Toyota is nothing if not methodical and the mistakes from previous forays into the nation's much-loved large car class are distant memories. It claims the locally-made Aurion is the most Australian Toyota yet. Although it shares much with Camry, Toyota Australia has been smart enough to sharpen up on value, the name, styling, servicing needs and seating in its new six-cylinder creation. Even accounting for equipment, Aurion is much more than a V6 Camry. In just about every way, it's also a much tougher adversary for Commodore, Mitsubishi 380 and Falcon. Aurion is outstanding in design and function terms, with typical tight Toyota-build quality, a class-leading environment score, stacks of safety and a driving layout smacking of simplicity and style. It's neither the biggest nor the most comfortable nor the stand-out on security in the class - but it's close enough on all counts. Rear passenger space is impressive before boot constraints bring it back to the field. There is always room for improvement, of course, with a foot-operated park brake, a ski-hatch and hinges that hamper boot flexibility. On the move it is a quiet, powerful and comfortable car. The engine offers plenty of silken performance, albeit at higher revs than other lazy, low-end locals, while shifts from the sequential six-speed are both creamy and decisive. It lacks some towing talent, but won't disappoint on other benchmarks. Another perceived weakness has always been Toyota's front-wheel-drive configuration. This big Toyota handles capably and predictably, even on gravel roads. It offers nicely weighted steering, high grip levels and benign balance. Plus there's that stability control safety net. Factor in the comfortable ride, hushed cabin and reassuring brakes and Aurion stacks up dynamically. It also adds up on the economic front. Sharp pricing, decent depreciation prospects and a competitive set of ongoing sums are sure to appeal. Overall the new Toyota is well-rounded, quiet and suitably ocker in personality. It is a worthy winner of the large car class.
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